The Playmaker Gives Up the Ball

After a career marked by on-court brilliance and off-court trouble, Jason Kidd is now the Brooklyn Nets's rookie coach, trying to lead a collection of aging, high-priced veterans to a championship on a team owned by a Russian billionaire.

The Playmaker Gives Up the Ball

Kidd, at his Nets office, believes he's prepared for the sideline: "I've been coaching as a player for years. I'm ready to take that next step," he says.

The Playmaker Gives Up the Ball

Kidd at 12; he grew up in Oakland, California, playing soccer as well as basketball.